Description
These Comforting Christmas Cherry Bars offer a festive and delightful treat perfect for holiday gatherings. With a buttery crust, sweet cherry pie filling, and a crunchy walnut topping infused with almond extract, these bars combine classic holiday flavors into one irresistible dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust and Topping
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
Filling
- 1 cup cherry pie filling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the correct temperature for even baking.
- Mix butter and sugar: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened unsalted butter and powdered sugar. Stir until the mixture becomes creamy and smooth, which forms the base for your crust.
- Add dry ingredients: Add the all-purpose flour and salt to the creamed butter and sugar. Mix until the ingredients come together to form a dough.
- Prepare the crust: Press about two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish to create a firm base layer.
- Spread cherry filling: Evenly spread the cherry pie filling over the pressed dough, covering the entire surface for a sweet and tangy layer.
- Prepare the topping: In a separate bowl, mix the remaining one-third of dough with the almond extract and chopped walnuts. This creates a crumbly topping that adds flavor and texture.
- Add the topping: Crumble the walnut dough mixture evenly over the cherry layer, covering as much as possible.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the bars are golden brown on top and cooked through.
- Cool and serve: Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into squares. This helps them set for clean slices and enhances the flavors.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother crust.
- You can substitute cherry pie filling with other fruit fillings like blueberry or raspberry for variety.
- For a nuttier taste, lightly toast the walnuts before mixing them into the topping.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- These bars can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw before serving.
